Mayor Renda reported that Village Prosecutor Santo Incorvaia has been working on the purchase of the home at 37545 Chagrin Blvd. A motion will be needed for earnest money. The Parks Commission has not yet hiked the Forest Ridge property due to weather delays. The grant application for Forest Ridge was sent out this week.

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES

Utilities Committee:
Mr. Buczek reported that the Utilities Committee did not meet and there is no report.

Safety Committee:
Mr. Richman reported that the Safety Committee did not meet and there is no report.

Service Committee:
Mrs. Cooper reported that the Service Committee will have a change order for the 2008 Drainage Program. The Village received a grant and loan from OPWC for the Chagrin Blvd. Slope Stabilization Project in the amount of $216,392.00. This is a zero interest loan to be paid over 20 years.

Mayor Renda commented that an additional $250,000 was obtained from the county therefore almost a half of million dollars was secured and the Village will be responsible for $399,000. Mayor Renda congratulated Engineer Filarski for working on and obtaining the financing.

Buildings & Grounds Committee:
Mrs. Ovsek reported that the committee met and minutes will be available soon.

Mayor Renda mentioned that the new floor in the lobby of Village Hall was installed and complete.

Finance Committee:
Mr. Wortzman reported that the committee did not meet this month but did have a few ordinances on the agenda and motions to be made.

Mr. Wortzman made a motion seconded by Mr. Buczek to authorize the treasurer to write a $1000.00 check for earnest money for the purchase of the property at 37545 Chagrin Blvd.

Mr. Wortzman made a motion seconded by Mr. Buczek to allow the Mayor to sell a 2005 Crown Victoria to the Village of Windham, Ohio per guidelines within the Ohio Revised Code that allow for sale of items from municipality to municipality in the amount of $2,995.00.

All meetings regularly scheduled and special meetings shall still be part of the Service Director’s base pay.

Mr. Richman questioned if hiring a part time service employee would be less costly then overtime for the Service Director’s pay scale. Mayor Renda explained that the equipment used is very expensive and a trained individual with a CDL needs to operate it. A cost study will be provided at the end of the season.

A motion was made by Mr. Wortzman seconded by Mr. Buczek for passage or Ordinance 2008-94.

*Ordinance 2008-95 was introduced by Mr. Wortzman. An Ordinance establishing the temporary appropriations for the first quarter of the fiscal year 2009 for the Village of Moreland Hills, and declaring an emergency.

A motion was made by Mr. Wortzman seconded by Mrs. Ovsek to suspend the rules for Ordinance 2008-95.

*Resolution 2008-96 was introduced by Mr. Wortzman. A Resolution requesting the County Auditor to make advances from the proceeds of Real and Personal Property Tax Levies and Special Assessments during the Fiscal Year 2008 pursuant to the Ohio Revised Code Section 321.34 and declaring an emergency.

A motion was made by Mr. Wortzman seconded by Mrs. Cooper to suspend the rules for Resolution 2008-96.

A motion was made by Mr. Wortzman seconded by Mr. Buczek for passage of Ordinance 2008-97.

Mr. Wortzman and Mayor Renda explained that across the board a 4% increase was granted to employees for 2009. Mr. Wortzman said the Finance Committee will continue to review and compare the salaries throughout the neighboring communities and try to further close the disparities that exist.

*Ordinance 2008-98 was introduced by Mrs. Cooper. An Ordinance authorizing the Mayor to accept a Storm Sewer Easement from Roy Minoff to permit the installation and maintenance of Storm Sewers and Appurtenances on certain private property, and declaring an emergency.

A motion was made by Mrs. Cooper seconded by Mr. Buczek to suspend the rules for Ordinance 2008-98.

Mayor Renda noted that the Bentleyville firing range ordinance will be passed in January with the other firing range contracts.

MICELLANEOUS BUSINESS

Mr. Charles Lang, President of the Moreland Hills Police & Employees Foundation was present to announce a gathering at his home Friday, December 19 to thank all of the Moreland Hills employees.

Mrs. Ronda Goldfarb, resident, questioned how residents find out about contributing to the MHPEF? Mr. Lang noted that once a year a letter is sent to all Moreland Hills residents. Mayor Renda mentioned that it was in the Village newsletter as well.

Mrs. Ovsek announced two dates, January 7, 2009 7pm; Council’s Organizational meeting and January 21, 2009 8:15am; the last Ad Hoc Committee meeting. Mrs. Ovsek thanked Mayor Renda and Council for a great year.

Council members thanked Mayor Renda, each other and their committees for a great year.

Mrs. Cooper congratulated Mayor Renda for being chosen as the Chagrin Valley Inter-Governmental Council President for 2009.

Mr. Buczek made a motion seconded by Mr. Newman to grant the day after Christmas, Friday, December 26, 2008 off for all Village employees.